One passage that stood out to me in The Clouds was the talk between Strepsiades and financial woe, trying to avoid paying debts. The desperation led him to go find Socrates and his teachings on personal responsibility versus the power of rhetoric. This points out the legal and financial pressures on the lower class, the likes of Strepsiades, and the manipulation of truth by sophistic rhetoric.

Aristophanes uses The Clouds to speak against the Sophists and intellectual figures such as Socrates. Indeed, the play ridicules how cunning argumentations have now been employed to dupe people and turn them off from conventional ways. Rather, it seems Aristophanes warns that this switch of thought might mean the decline of morality and justice in Athens. By using humor and absurdity, Aristophanes indicates that valuing rhetoric over wisdom could prove perilous.

The play points out the fears of Athens standing before intellectual and social transformation. Aristophanes was afraid of the expansion in the number of sophists and the consequences this might have within society. Besides, he shows the difficulties of ordinary people faced by financial problems and complicated jurisdiction. I would be interested in finding out how this play was received by Athenians and whether it influenced public opinion about such figures as Socrates.

The second half of Clouds can be anointed as one of the biggest plot twists in theatrical plays. As one proceeds through the story, you see Strepsiades use Socrates' tactics to go against what the collectors of his son's debt are saying. This "Unjust Argument" tactic can be compared to modern-day gaslighting as Strepsiades dismisses the plea of those he owed money to and swindles his way out of debt. As a result, his worst mistake was using this reasoning on his son to convince him to take some lectures from Socrates while he continued indulging in these actions. The result of this choice is seen in Pheidippides' return home and his being fully inwrapped by Socrates' teaching to the point where he starts beating his father and tries to justify it. At this point, Aristophanes is trying to convey the idea of karma, that no deed is left unjust, and simply you eat what you serve. Strepsiades believed he was in the clear of his debt but in exchange for this, he now has a son who doesn't see the value of son and father as he reached his newfound enlightenment through the lenses of Socrates. Whether this affected Athenians in their time and their opinions of Socrates it is without a doubt this theme is still used throughout many writings, where the protagonist gets a taste of their own medicine. What stood out to me was how the son used the same ideology that Socrates felt about Zeus to his father. Was Socrates a philosopher who hated the Gods or was his wisdom too earthly bound that those who believed in the Olympian gods believed his words to be blasphemous? To use a being named Vortex is what makes me question the teaching of Socrates and who this Vortex being is.

One passage that caught my attention was the contest between the Just Speech and Unjust Speech over which of the two is the stronger argument. Line 990 stood out to me, in particular, where he says to Pheidippides, “In view of these things, lad, be bold and choose me, the stronger speech, and you’ll have knowledge of how to hate the marketplace and keep away from the baths; and to be ashamed at shameful things and to be inflamed if anyone mocks you;” (Line 990). After reading about Periclean Athens and the Peloponnesian War, I think one of the things the Just Speech is supposed to represent is the conservative sentiments of the many displeased aristocratic Athenians as their city transformed from a well-off Polis into a cosmopolitan, naval empire. On the flip side, the Unjust Speech seems to embody all shortcomings associated with the more liberal and radical generation of Athenians in power at that time. I’m interested in finding out more about Aristophanes and why he had such a pessimistic outlook on Athens.

A passage that really stands out is when Socrates tries to teach Strepsiades the difference between "masculine" and "feminine" words, like calling a female chicken a "chookette." Strepsiades completely misunderstands, He's showing how he can’t understand Socrates' complex ideas. The author points out that some academic ideas can seem silly or not clear to regular people. It’s a fun criticism of philosophy, showing that while thinkers may think they are smart, their ideas often seem useless to people dealing with everyday problems. Aristophanes uses this difference to point out the humor between high-minded theories and practical common sense. I think this is telling us that ancient Athens was a place where new ideas and philosophy were starting to be popular, but not everyone took them seriously. It shows many people value clever talk over truth. What I mean by this is people often liked smart talk and convincing arguments more than looking for what was true or important. 

What stood out to me is when Strepsiades was attacked by his son, I didn't give it much thought until in class the significance was clarified. So I reread the passage and I understood that this was new for the audience at the time. A son raising his hand to his father was not something that Athens tolerated, for it to happen would be a definite sign that Athenian Society was deteriorating. I think this idea of the decay of Athenian society is what the intent was, by framing Socrates as the cause the public could then refute everything he was framed to stand for, a big rallying cry to return to traditional thought. It tells us that at the time, the idea of Athenian Identity was on the verge of being changed was on the idea of many even if it was not openly discussed.

For the second half of Clouds, a few passages stood out to me as I read them. The first one being on page 148. Strepsiades asks the Clouds to give him counsel because Socrates told him that he was done teaching him due to his old age; Strepsiades seems to forget what he’s taught. The Clouds then counsel Strepsiades to send his son to learn, which is what Strepsiades wanted in the beginning of the play. After Pheidippides learns what Strepsiades wanted him to learn, they get into an argument/ physical altercation. The second passage that stood out to me is found on page 174. Strepsiades blames the Clouds for what has happened with his son; the fight and the Unjust education. They respond “no, you yourself are responsible for these things by yourself, because you twisted yourself into villainous affairs.” From the very beginning, Strepsiades made it clear that he wanted to learn how to avoid paying his debts. The final passage that stood out to me is found on page 175 when Strepsiades says “oh me! What derangement! How mad I was, but when I even threw out the gods because of Socrates! But dear Hermes, in no way be angry with me and don’t batter me, but forgive me…”. This passage stood out to me because in the first half, he accepts Socrates teaching of there being no gods, but now he calls out to them in repentance, asking for forgiveness. He quickly goes back to his old way of thinking. He regrets ever entering the thinkery and casting off his gods. He realizes life would have been better if he has just paid off his debts. These passages tell us about what it was like at that time; new/ modern ideas, and language, versus the traditional ones that the older society held on to. 

The second half of " Clouds" is interesting as Strepsaides after finally meeting with Socrates attempts to put his teachings of false speech into action. What's interesting is that he was expecting the ways of false speech to assist him in arguing away his debts but instead, it had the opposite effect. The ways of Scroates false speech didn't work at all and would be the catalyst for the downfall of the Thinkery. The Thinkery had helped others but it failed to help Strepsaides, Socrates's teachings worked for others but didn't work for Strepsaides. The author is showing us that it wasn't just Strepsaide's failure to make a cohesive argument but how he words his arguments and their arrangement. Aristophanes's goal is to show the audience the dangers and consequences of false speech. The danger of Socrates himself. Aristophanes was a believer in the old tradition not the emerging beliefs in philosophy. Athens during this period is contemplating what the teaching of Scroates is doing to the youth's morality and impact on their society at large. Aristophanes wants Athens to thrive through the old ways of tradition not through embracing philosophy. I wonder how Aristophanes well thought his character destruction would playout with the audience and people of Athens?

The incident in which Strepsiades's use of misleading arguments backfired caught my attention as I read the second half of Aristophanes' *Clouds*. It shows the dangers of using words free of values. Aristophanes draws attention to the dangers of sophisticated teachings. The failure of Strepsiades and the destruction of the Thinkery demonstrate how abusing intelligence may cause anarchy and erode social norms. Athenian concerns about new philosophies upending tradition are reflected in the play. It depicts a society in fifth-century BCE Athens discussing the impact of individuals such as Socrates on morality and youth. How did audiences respond to the play's conclusion? Did it affect how people perceived Socrates or lead to discussions about how fair these criticisms were?

The passage that stood out the most was the physical attack perpetrated by Pheidippides against his father, Strepsiades.

Aristophanes goal is to show the extend of the negative influence of the sophists and Socrates among the malleable youth of

Athens. He wants t to portray the level of harm they can reach, like turning a son against his own father.

The city of Athens was at a moment in which ideas were flourishing but so was the opposition to them. It is evident

that Aristophanes did not see eye to eye with Socrates, whom he sees as an apostate and a threat to the traditional ideas

and the simpler life. It would be interested to know if Socrates had any dislike towards Aristophanes, if he antagonized him

during an argument in the Agora.

The passage that jumped out to me was toward the end of “Clouds,” when Strepsides became angry at Socrates because he believed Socrates made him deviate from his beliefs and asked his slave Xanthias to bring a ladder and a torch to go to thinkery to set fire on it. This detail brings me to our textbook “The Trial of Socrates” in which his accuser Meletus made people think Philosopher Socrates was distracting young people’s minds with his ideas. The consequence was his death penalty later they regretted it because Socrates was an innocent and a good man, and they misjudged him. In “Clauds” Strepsides reminds me of Meletus trying to discredit Socrates by setting fire to the thinkery. Socrates for a while made Strepsides not believe in his gods. I think the author is trying to communicate that a government regularly will have controversies, lies, false moralisms, and distractions, so society does not see behind the curtains. In my opinion, this document tells about the time and place it comes from for democracy in a government to be functional it needs to have an agreement for things to flow. What I would like to find out more is the end of oligarchy for the citizens to be free of tyranny and outrageous abuse for them to make a strong and trustful government in Greek. 

The detail in particular that stood out to me in the the second half of clouds was the fight that Strepsiades and Pheidippides that led to Pheidippides attacking his father. The reason it jumped out to me because I feel like this is where we see the turning point in Strepsiades character where he sees how the effects of the thinkery and Socrates have effected his son. What  I believe the author was trying to communicate is to show how the ways of the sophists in reality I’m Ancient Greece may be a turning point for Greece compared to their traditional way of life which involved the beliefs in the gods. What I think this document tells about this time and place is instead of how many literature works written in Ancient Greece involves those in power or wealthy or someone in status, it gives a story depicting an average person who also is trying to live the way of life during that time and how the effects of the sophists could affect those who are just an average citizen. What I think this document may contradict about the time and place is how Socrates was depicted and what he was accused of which actually affects the real life Socrates. Ancient Greece especially in the time and place Cloud’s is written, had many writers , elitists, philosophers who had their own thoughts and ideas and applied it to those around them at that time. Aristophanes may have disagreed with the beliefs that Socrates had but did not need to assassinate or butcher him as a person in clouds.  

Sorry, misread the initial directions:

Regarding Clouds, I think Arisophanes is trying underneath the surface level laughter to warn us of Athens losing its' way. Their youth is highly susceptible to suggestion by the twisted words of the sophists. This is not my belief this is just what I took Aristophanes message as being. The sophists and their lack of reverence and respect for tradition could bring decay, division and destruction to Athenian society by tearing down the foundational structures that made it great. Aristophanes warns that perhpas Athens would be advised to acknowledge this and fight against it primarily by discrediting and doing away with people like Socrates.

So when you first look at this picture you see a meeting of some great man, what appears to be of talking of matters of great importance in the agora by the looks of it. There are many people living in well to do means. They look neither hungry nor poorly clothed. However, look to the edges. Yes, some people are buried in books they are of some educated means. However, here and there are others just idling and loafing about. Becoming what it would appear to be lazy and decandant. A sign of too much luxury and comfort. They also look young. So, while the older generation has made Athens great. What can be expected of their younger citizens? Do they have what it takes to maintain the legacy of greatness of Athens? I guess I am curious if the artist had this intent when creating this piece.

The detail that particularly jumped out to me as I read through the second half of Clouds by Aristophanes is when Pheidippides has a complete change in belief about Zeus. I think the author was trying to communicate that the effect that sophistry has on their students is so impactful that it makes them change their beliefs completely. Pheidippides was changed to the point that he started to beat Strepsiades. In my opinion this document is telling us that Athens during this time and place as a society were not exactly stable. The Athenians belief systems were shaky. This sophistry happened at the same time that the Athens were looking to save their society against Sparta and the Corinthians in the Peloponnesian War. I would like to find more about the author Aristophanes' aim in writing this comedy. A reason could be to depict Socrates in a negative way. Were there any other underlying reasons that Aristophanes would write this comedy?